Review: Spellbinder by Thea Harrison

Reviewed by Jen

Thea Harrison shows once again why she is an auto read author for me with this latest in her Elder Races spin off trilogy. This is Morgan La Fae’s story and If you’ve loved to hate this guy in previous books, I have a feeling you will end up loving him every bit as much as I do by the time this book is done.

Morgan has done some very bad things, but they’re not really his fault. He has been under the hold of a powerful spell which forces him to obey the orders of Isabeau, the fae queen. Thankfully, as the story begins, an injury and a poorly worded command from the queen allows him a temporary escape. He plans to use that time researching the spell and the powerful artifact which allows Isabeau to wield it. What ends up happening, however, is that he comes across a wildly talented musician named Sidonie and begins attending concerts on her tour. Only, his attention gets noticed by the wrong person and Sid ends up paying the price.

She gets kidnapped by one of Morgan’s enemies and is delivered into Isabeau’s hands. The queen is a cruel mistress; Sid is badly injured in her custody and held prisoner. Despite his better judgment, Morgan turns himself into her lifeline, bringing her food, healing her, keeping her company. She doesn’t know who he is, but she slowly comes to care for the mystery man who shows her the only kindness she has seen in Avalon.

I loved how these two developed such a bond outside of any conventional means. Sid could not even see Morgan’s face when he came to visit her, because it was so dark in her cell. She only knew a whisper of his voice, his kind acts, and his strong arms. (*swoon*) He made no bones about the fact that he cannot be trusted, but she saw the man beneath all that. I love how she judges him for who he really is and not the things he could not control. I love how intuitive she is and how she goes with her gut.

For a bad guy, Morgan really is such a good man. I had no doubt he would slice open someone’s throat in a second, but every time he had to commit an act against his nature, it ate a little bit of his soul. I felt such compassion for him and it was easy to see how Sid would feel the same.

As always, Harrison delivers with good sexy times. There is a great buildup between the characters… such delicious tension. I was as ready for it as they were when it finally happened.

This book has great pacing, villains I love to hate, and a core romance the hit all my happy buttons. Even as this series continues to expand its world, it stays very accessible and inviting to me as a reader. I will happily continue coming back for more.